2 samuel 17:16 - Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’”
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What does "2 samuel 17:16" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 17:16 is a crucial part of the story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Let's break it down:
Context: Absalom has successfully overthrown his father David and is pursuing him to kill him and secure the throne. David and his loyal followers are fleeing Jerusalem.
"Now therefore send quickly, and tell David...": This indicates that someone (likely Ahimaaz and Jonathan, who were acting as messengers) has received vital intelligence about Absalom's plans and is sending a warning to David.
"'Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over...'": The fords of the wilderness would have been a relatively easy place to cross the Jordan River, but also a dangerous place to be caught if Absalom's forces were to catch up. The messengers are urgently warning David not to stop there for the night. The phrase "by all means pass over" emphasizes the extreme importance of crossing the Jordan River immediately.
"...lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.'": This is the core of the warning. "Swallowed up" is a metaphorical way of saying that David and his entire company could be completely destroyed or overwhelmed if they were caught by Absalom's army. The danger is imminent and total.
In short, the verse means:
Someone has discovered Absalom's plan to pursue and attack David. They are sending an urgent message to David telling him not to stop at the fords of the wilderness but to cross the Jordan River immediately. The message stresses that if David doesn't follow this advice, he and all his followers are in grave danger of being killed by Absalom's forces.
The verse highlights:
The urgency of the situation: David's life and the lives of his followers are in immediate danger.
The importance of intelligence: Having information about Absalom's movements is crucial for David's survival.
The loyalty and bravery of those who support David: Despite the risk, people are willing to help David even in this dangerous situation.
The precariousness of David's position: Even as the rightful king, David is vulnerable and forced to flee for his life.
This warning is essential to David's escape and eventual regrouping, which ultimately leads to Absalom's defeat.
2 samuel 17:16 - Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’”
What does "2 samuel 17:16" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 17:16 is a crucial part of the story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Let's break it down:
Context: Absalom has successfully overthrown his father David and is pursuing him to kill him and secure the throne. David and his loyal followers are fleeing Jerusalem.
"Now therefore send quickly, and tell David...": This indicates that someone (likely Ahimaaz and Jonathan, who were acting as messengers) has received vital intelligence about Absalom's plans and is sending a warning to David.
"'Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over...'": The fords of the wilderness would have been a relatively easy place to cross the Jordan River, but also a dangerous place to be caught if Absalom's forces were to catch up. The messengers are urgently warning David not to stop there for the night. The phrase "by all means pass over" emphasizes the extreme importance of crossing the Jordan River immediately.
"...lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.'": This is the core of the warning. "Swallowed up" is a metaphorical way of saying that David and his entire company could be completely destroyed or overwhelmed if they were caught by Absalom's army. The danger is imminent and total.
In short, the verse means:
Someone has discovered Absalom's plan to pursue and attack David. They are sending an urgent message to David telling him not to stop at the fords of the wilderness but to cross the Jordan River immediately. The message stresses that if David doesn't follow this advice, he and all his followers are in grave danger of being killed by Absalom's forces.
The verse highlights:
The urgency of the situation: David's life and the lives of his followers are in immediate danger.
The importance of intelligence: Having information about Absalom's movements is crucial for David's survival.
The loyalty and bravery of those who support David: Despite the risk, people are willing to help David even in this dangerous situation.
The precariousness of David's position: Even as the rightful king, David is vulnerable and forced to flee for his life.
This warning is essential to David's escape and eventual regrouping, which ultimately leads to Absalom's defeat.